A1Studio appointments
Call to schedule an appointment with a designer.
The studio works by appointment, Monday to Thursday. Send a note about your project and a designer will reach out to set up a tour of the showroom and a meeting with the designers and project managers. Prefer to talk? Call 509.823.4600.
Tell us about your project
A few lines is plenty. The list further down this page shows what the designers will ask about.
B2Before you come in
Ten things to think about.
The studio's new client questionnaire opens with this promise: “We will spend weeks and months with you on this journey and we are incredible listeners. It all starts here.” These are its questions, so you can arrive with answers.
From the New Client Questionnaire
The house and the team
Questions 1 to 4
- Q·1
A contractor, or M.B. Designs as the General?
The studio works with many contractors, and each builder runs their business differently. They are happy to work with clients who already have a builder or who still need to hire one. If you have a contractor, bring the name and any details you want to share.
- Q·2
Have you worked with a designer before?
If you have, how was it? The same goes for a past remodel: the best and the worst part of the experience, and what you would do differently this time.
- Q·3
When was the home built, and how long will you stay?
Think about when the house was built, how long you have lived there, and how long you plan to stay. The last answer helps with budgeting, because it identifies a return on investment.
- Q·4
Your time frame
When would you like to start, and is there a completion date in mind? Say so even if it is only a season.
The people and the budget
Questions 5 to 7
- Q·5
Every decision-maker
List ALL of them. If you are brave, put percentages beside the names to show the “majority ruler” in your household.
- Q·6
Areas, spaces and rooms that need attention
Walk through the house and note every room that is on the wish-list, from the kitchen and baths to the floors and window treatments.
- Q·7
Your budget
The studio's own words: DO NOT hold back. The relationship is based on trust. They can help clients stay within budgets, identify items that may exceed the budget, and modify the wish-list to hit the right number.
The look and the fine print
Questions 8 to 10
- Q·8
What matters most to you
Rank these: highest quality workmanship and materials, schedule, cost, sustainability and sourcing environmentally friendly materials, and communication. Add your own if none of them fits.
- Q·9
Design inspiration
Have you saved images from Pinterest, Houzz, social media or magazines? Bring them. Photos beat adjectives.
- Q·10
Special needs and the fine print
Raise ADA and age-in-place conversations, HOAs, hours of construction and anything similar now. Also share the size of your family, how often you entertain, and the things you wish were different.
C3A mutual interview
The first meeting is about whether you are a good fit.
M.B. Designs offers a mid to high end service and begins with a mutual interview. If you don't see what you're looking for on your first visit, they will bring it in.